Do Dogs Sleep With Their Eyes Open

If you’ve ever glanced at your sleeping dog and noticed their eyes half open — or even fully open — you’re not imagining it. Yes, some dogs do sleep with their eyes open, or at least partially open. It can look strange or even unsettling at first, but in many cases, it’s completely normal.

Why Do Some Dogs Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Dogs experience different sleep stages just like humans, including deep sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During lighter stages of sleep, especially when dozing or napping, it’s not uncommon for a dog’s eyelids to remain partially open. This can reveal the whites of the eyes or even a rolling motion, especially during dreams.

Some breeds are more prone to this than others, particularly those with prominent or bulging eyes like pugs, boxers, or bulldogs. In these cases, their eye structure simply makes it harder to fully close their lids while resting.

What You’re Actually Seeing

When a dog appears to sleep with their eyes open, it’s often their nictitating membrane — also known as the third eyelid — that becomes visible. This translucent layer helps protect the eye and can make it look like the dog is awake even when they’re not. You might also see subtle twitching or eye movement, which is totally normal during the dreaming phase of sleep.

Is It Something to Worry About?

In most cases, a dog sleeping with its eyes open isn’t anything to worry about. However, there are a few signs to watch for that might indicate a problem. If your dog seems unable to fully close their eyes even when awake, has redness, dryness, or visible discomfort, it could be a sign of an eye condition that needs vet attention.

Conditions like lagophthalmos (inability to fully close the eyelids), eye infections, or nerve damage could also be behind unusual sleeping behaviour. If your dog’s eyes look dry, irritated, or they seem unusually sensitive to light, a vet check-up is a good idea.

When It’s Just a Quirk

For many dogs, especially as they age, sleeping with their eyes slightly open becomes a harmless habit. As long as they’re resting well, not showing signs of discomfort, and their eyes look healthy when awake, there’s no need to worry. It’s just one of those odd dog behaviours that adds to their charm.

Summary

Yes, dogs can and do sleep with their eyes open — or at least partly open. It’s often completely normal and nothing to stress about. Certain breeds are more likely to do it due to the shape of their eyes, and you may even spot their third eyelid or twitching as they dream. Unless there are signs of irritation or eye issues, it’s just another quirky (and sometimes spooky) part of life with a dog.